Super Bowl XLVIII sees customers returning to beer, pizza and wings and away from the veggie platters of last year. Last year, Americans tried to go healthy when planning Super Bowl snacks with vegetable platters, water and healthy alternatives to chips such as granola and trail mix. This Super Bowl sees a return to traditional

BIGS Sunflower seeds and Jay Mohr Sports, the Premiere Networks/FOX Sports Radio nationally syndicated radio program, have joined together to create an advertising and promotional partnership intended to remind sports fans that “Everything’s Better with BIGS.” The campaign, which includes live reads, 60-second advertisements and social media contests, kicks off Jan. 27-31, 2014 when BIGS

Mintel forecasts sales will top $1.3 billion by the end of 2015. By John Lofstock, Editor Estimates from Chicago-based Mintel Group, based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey and other data, project solid growth for meaty snacks all the way through at least 2015, when they should top $1.3 billion. The research

The addition marks the first national listing for the product. Pilot Flying J Travel Centers have made Big Papa Dill Pickle Popcorn a permanent snack item in all 500+ locations across the U.S. This marks the first national listing for the unique new popcorn flavor that was launched by Van Holten’s Pickles in June

Hometown brands celebrate family traditions with the defending Stanley Cup Champion Blackhawks. As the Chicago Blackhawks hockey season gets into full swing, Carl Buddig & Co., the maker of popular Buddig lunchmeats and Old Wisconsin sausage and meat snack products, are sponsoring the defending Stanley Cup champion team and hometown NHL favorite for the 2013-14

As customers continue to crave variety and new taste profiles, meat snacks manufacturers are staying on their toes, and providing c-stores with a range of new options to keep shoppers coming back for more. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. When Americans want to snack, nothing holds them back. Time constraints paired with consumer demand for

Jack Link’s has introduced a new product line that celebrates the brand’s rich heritage — Jack Link’s Small Batch, Handcrafted Beef Jerky. Following original family recipes, Jack Link’s new Small Batch, Handcrafted Beef Jerky is made with thick slices of premium beef and is available in three flavors: Original No. 11; Peppered No. 15; and

Bare is a line of good-for-you snacks made simply from nature with 100% from natural ingredients. Crunchy Chile Lime Apple Chips and Crunchy Sea Salt Caramel Apple Chips have only 50 calories of deliciousness per serving—perfect for lunchtime snacks. Bare’s line of All-Natural Apple Chips have no saturated or trans fat, added sugar or sodium.

As salty snacks raise the bar and carbonated soft drinks recover sales growth, the energy and beer categories are losing momentum, according to a recent Wells Fargo Securities report. The carbonated soft drinks (CSD) category (excluding energy drinks) has seen sales growth recover slightly following two months of flat growth, according to Nielsen data for

General Mills is bringing a soft-texture cookie from a consumer-loved brand for placement in the pegged cookie set. Cookies, represent $576 million in sales, according to Total U.S. Convenience All Scan-IRI for the 52 Weeks Ended Jan. 27, 2013. Now retailers have an opportunity to boost sales by satisfying consumer demand for an indulgent snack.

Dry roasted edamame, organic trail mix, veggie chips and premium nut blends greet customers. 7-Eleven has studied dining trends* that show consumers are snacking more often than ever. Long counted on by customers for a convenient snack or a drink, 7-Eleven stores now offer a broader assortment that reflects consumer desires for snacks made with

Old Wisconsin introduces a tasty new line up of Snack Stick products—smoked slowly over a real hardwood fire and available in a variety of sizes and flavors. Perfect for almost all snack occasions, Old Wisconsin’s Snack Stick products feature a unique blend of natural spices and real hardwood-smoked flavor. Building on the strength of Old

Retailer responds to snackers’ needs with new bites, treats and deals. 7-Eleven Inc. continues to answer consumers’ 24-hour need for small-portioned foods, snacks and mini-meals with an evolving menu of bits, bites and snacks—all at a sweet price. The newest hot snacks to join the mini-meal scene at 7-Eleven stores are Corn Dog Bites, Mozzarella

NPD Group reports c-stores beat out grocery stores and discount stores as a grab-and-go snack destination. Every day 28 million people in the U.S. eat a grab-and-go snack, accounting for billions of eatings each year. These buy-and-eat-within-an-hour snacks are 50% more likely to be eaten while traveling or in a car, which make convenience stores

New promotion capitalizes on hot online gaming trend. As summer gets into full swing, Carl Buddig & Co. and Old Wisconsin are kicking off a Family Road Trip promotion offering consumers a chance to win a $25,000 Grand Prize. The promotion runs through Sept. 30, 2013. The Family Road Trip will feature a variety of

From extra spicy to turkey or bacon based, today’s meat snacks are offering the variety customers crave. By Erin Rigik, Associate Editor. As customers continue to crave variety and new taste profiles, meat snacks manufacturers are staying on their toes, and providing c-stores with a range of new options to keep shoppers coming back for

Emphasizing snacks throughout the day as a meal replacement or an afternoon treat is driving sales across all age groups. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor. The past year was a strong one for nuts, seeds, crackers, pretzels, popcorn and trail mixes, according to convenience store sales data from SymphonyIRI. The largest of these subcategories, nuts,

Starting 2013 in a big way, Jack Link’s introduces the all-new SQUATCH brand, a bold snack stick line geared towards teens and young adults. A snack with a unique, spicy flavor and premium, category-leading Jack Link’s quality, SQUATCH is as bold as it gets. The brand’s personality and design aligns the product with elements consumers

Summer campaign attracts customers by encouraging them to use their snacking skills. Kum & Go launched a summer campaign to attract snacking experts whose two main summer food groups are snack foods and fountain drinks—dubbed “snaxperts” by the West Des Moines, Iowa-based convenience store chain. “Snaxperts are those who know Dr. Pepper tastes even better

New summer snacks include whoopie pies and smoked sausages on the expanding menu of fresh choices. New sweet and savory snacks are coming to Corner Stores this summer, as the menu of fresh-made items continues to expand. Corner Store’s new German Chocolate Whoopie Pie and Eckrich Applewood Smoked Sausage with Monterey Cheese will round out

Expo sees fourth straight year of aggressive growth in attendance, exhibitors and square footage. Sponsored by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo hosted a sold out show at Chicago’s McCormick Place to an audience of more than 15,000 qualified industry professionals. The Expo which was held May 21–23 is billed

Comfort, spice and little bites dominate candy and snack category trends. The 2013 Sweets and Snacks Expo, presented by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) took place in Chicago at McCormick Place May 21-23. The show brought together more than 15,000 manufacturers, buyers and industry leaders from 70 countries. More than 600 companies debuted treats, and

Women outpace men when it comes to convenience snacking, according to NPD report. The typical American eats more than 1,000 snack-oriented convenience foods throughout the year, and kids and teens are the heaviest users of this assortment of snacks, which include fresh fruit, sweet, and savory snacks, reports The NPD Group, a global information company.

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